Linoleum topped filing cabinet



NOV- 1, 1932- G. H. DAwsoN LINOLEUM TOPPED FILING CABINET Filed Jan. 50. 1929 Patented Nov. 1, 1932 GEORGE H. DAWSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO COLUMBIA STEEL EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COREOR-ATION OF PENNSYLVANIA LINOIKIEUM TOPPED FILING` GAVBINET Application led January 30, 1929. Serial No. 336,179.

This invention relates to top assemblies adapted for attachment upon office equipment or furniture such asv filing cabinets, desks or tables, to provide an upper surface of linoleum or similarV yielding sheet material, and pertains more particularly to m-eans for applying linoleum coverings upon the contiguous tops of a row of aligned steel ling cabinets and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a top section or unit comprising a rigid framework having a covering sheet of linoleum affixed thereto by concealed securing means, so constructed that the framework may conveniently be attached upon a filing cabinet with the fiat, unbroken surface of the linoleum substantially covering the cabinet top; to furnish limproved means for attaching the linoleum upon the framework without the employlnent of through bolts or other projecting fastenings; and to provide a unit of the type aforesaid having rounded ends covering the front and rear edges of the linoleum and having straight, flat sides confining the lateral edges of the linoleum, whereby several units may be assembled side to side, to furnish a substantially flat and continuous linoleum surface covering a row of cabinets.

The framework of the units is preferably formed of steel and the units herein described are particularly adapted for separable attachment to steel filing cabinets, but other suitably rigid materials may be Vutilized in making the frame and the assemblies may be applied either temporarily or permanently to similar flat topped articles of furniture or office equipment.

A recommended embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

F ig. 1 is a plan View of the improved unit;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view thereof;

F ig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the unit illustrating a preferred mode of assembling the linoleum sheet withinthe framework;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the assembled unit; and

VF ig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section,

`showing-a pair of units appliedin'abutting relationship `upon contiguous cabinets.

The assembled unit preferably comprises a substantiallyrectangular frame consisting of similar front and rear endmembers 6 and r similar side members 7 joined together at the corners, and having inturned bottom flanges 8 and 9 respectively; a perforate bed-plate 10 having a series of apertures 11 and having dpending end flanges or supporting members 12 fitting between the frame members 6 and seating on the'flanges 8 ;a cover sheet of linoleum -13 or other yielding material applied upon the .bed 10 and confined by,the frame members; and one or more fabric anchoring stripsll; perferably of burlap or canvas, underlying'the' bed plate 10 and cementedorglued through the apertures 11 to the under side of the linoleum covering 13,v and preferably also to the plate 10. The

covering' is accordingly secured.withinV the framework by inexpensive and readily affixed fastening means without the Vutilization of objectionable projecting nails, .bolts or other metallic fasteners.

The flanges9 of the side members v7 pref-y erably terminate short of the ends of said members to fit between the flanges 8 and furnish a flat b-ase for the framework; and the corners of the frame are preferably united by are welding at the vertical joints of the abutting members 6 and 7, as at.15 (Fig. 2). 'lransversel beams such as the Z-bars V16 may be provided to afford additional support to the bed plate 10, the ends of the bars resting edges at the front and back of the unit;v

whereas the side walls 7 of the frame are preferably fiat and straight, so that several units may be mounted side by side (Fig. 5) and furnish a substantially flat, continuous Vtop surface. The linoleum sheet may convenientvao 1y be applied to the framework so constructed by flexing the sheet transversely and inserting its ends under the rounded lips 17, as shown in Fig. 3. The binding strips 14 may then be coated with the adhesive (if not previously prepared) and cemented to the under side of the plate l() and to the linoleum through openings 11, after turning the frame bottom up (Fig. 2). The plate 10 may be inserted within the frame in the same manner as the cover sheet 13, and may be removably fastened therein by the cover securing flanges 17 of the end walls 6. If additional rigidity is desirable, the plate 10 may be spotA welded to the walls 6 or the beams 16.

The linoleum covered unit may be attached upon the top of a table, desk, filing cabinet or other fiatbase by suitable fastenings, as indicated in Fig. 5 which shows a pair of units secured by bolts 18 to contiguousvsteel filing cabinets 19. The attachment may be temporary or permanent yand theV precise character yof the fastening means is not essential to this invention.

An article constructed as above described provides 'a unique and'convenient mode of securing'a layer of iexible and wear-,resisting sheet material such as linoleum upon a flat base or bed plate, and furnishes a unitary top assemblage adapted to be made in appropriate sizes for attachment to ling cabinets or other oiice equipment. The attached top is compact and neat in appearance and when the units are assembled side by side on connected or abutting cabinets a smooth and eX- tensive Ytop surface is afforded for writing or other purposes for which the cabinet tops themselves would `be unsuitable. It will: be understood, however', that precise structural details may be varied to suit particular purposes without departing from the essence of this invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An article of the class described coinprising a rectangular frame having end members and side members joined at the corners, said members having upstanding walls and inturned bottom ianges providing a flat base, an apertured bed plate fitting within the frame and having depending end supporting members seating upon the flanges at the ends of the frame, a cover sheet ofyielding material on the upper side of the plate having its edges abutting the upper margins of the frame walls, an anchoring strip applied on the under side of the platek and cemented to the bottom surface of the cover sheet through the plate apertures, the side walls of the frame lying in a verticalplane and the upper margins of the end walls being bent over the adjacent edges of the cover sheet to secure said edges and the bed plate within the frame, thereby providing a unitary top assembly adapted for attachment upon filing cabinets and the like.

2. An article of the class described comprising a substantially rectangular frame having upstanding side and end walls, a removable bed plate mounted within the frame, and a cover sheet of yielding material resting on said plate and fitting between the upstanding frame walls, the upper margins of the respective end wallshaving plane surfaces extending parallel to each other, and the upper margins of the side walls being bent inwardlyl over the adjacent edges of the cover sheet to secure said sheet and said plate within the frame.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 28th day-of January, 1929.

' GEORGE H. DAVJSON. Y 

